I dress up as a poor noblewoman, and I bring my whole family home with my literary talent.

Chapter 109 About Starting a Family
"What about the Marquis' wife? What does she think?" Song Lingyi hesitated.

"I will communicate with my mother, you don't have to worry." Xie Yanshu said.

Although Xie Yanshu made such a guarantee, Song Lingyi still felt uneasy in her heart and had a feeling that this matter would not be so easy to resolve.

……

It was dusk, and in the silent night the only sound was the rustling of snowflakes hitting the window frames.

The light from the candles shrouded in gauze was dim. Princess Qi Yang, in her undergarments, sat in front of the dressing mirror, with Yin Sha combing her hair behind her.

"Your Highness, this Miss Song Wu is really confused."

The beauty in the bronze mirror had cold eyes and eyebrows. "That's the Marquis's Mansion. The Marquis's family has been passed down from generation to generation, and they are rich and powerful. Xie Yanshu is also a famous and talented scholar in Chang'an. Who can refuse?"

"Your Highness is right."

The maid carrying water hurriedly came from behind the screen: "Your Highness, please..."

She walked in such a hurry that she didn't notice a new velvet rug in the inner room. She stumbled, revealing her inner panic.

Yinsha glanced at her and scolded, "How can you be so reckless when doing things in front of His Highness?!"

The maid placed the basin on the ground and knelt down, "This servant deserves death. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Princess Qi Yang continued to remove her makeup in front of the mirror and ignored the maid's pleas for mercy. Yin Sha understood what she meant and said, "Go down and receive your punishment." It was ridiculous that he got into trouble when Her Royal Highness the Princess was in a bad mood and still wanted to be forgiven.

The maid was shocked and frightened, and was about to cry, but she held it back. After putting the basin on the shelf, she left the bedroom.

Princess Qi Yang stood up and went to the shelf to wash her hands. "How is Yu Youzhi doing?"

Yinsha nodded and said, "Your Highness, Yu Youzhi sent someone to tell Your Highness that everything is going as planned." After saying that, he handed over the handkerchief he was using to wipe his hands.

Princess Qi Yang hummed coldly.

Yinsha pondered for a moment and asked, "I am confused. Why did Your Highness the Princess want to help Yu Youzhi regain the emperor's favor?"

"I have been patiently planning for many years. How could Yu Youzhi's private thoughts escape my eyes? Let's just give him a helping hand and see how far he can go. No matter whether it is Yu Youzhi or Shen Liuyun, when the father and the mother fight, only the fisherman can benefit."

"Your Highness is wise."

"But... we can't just leave the Song family alone." Princess Qi Yang's originally calm eyes suddenly turned gloomy. "Li wouldn't want her daughter-in-law to show up in public. If Song Lingyi gets carried away and completely returns to the family, it will be detrimental to my plan."

"Your Highness means..." Yinsha's eyes flashed, "I understand."

……

After the Lantern Festival, all government offices will resume normal duty

Song Lingyi, wearing her official uniform and a fish charm on her waist, arrived at the Bureau of Astronomy to take up her post before the hour of Mao. The marriage between the Xie and Song families came unexpectedly, but it did not prevent her colleagues in the Bureau of Astronomy from warmly congratulating her.

Ye Xu'an also clocked in at Daqing Hall early and checked Song Lingyi's homework. Fortunately, Song Lingyi had never slacked off and handed in a satisfactory answer sheet. The hottest news in the palace recently was that Yu Youzhi had been favored by the emperor again. His Majesty promoted him to the third-rank Siwei Ling, and his favor was even greater than before.

Because of his achievements in the northern inspection tour, Xie Yanshu was transferred to the Censorate by the empress at the beginning of the year. The two were so busy all day that they had no time to meet each other.

……

As the sun was setting and the palace gates were about to be locked, Song Lingyi happened to step onto the palace road and met Yu Youzhi head-on.

Last time, I didn't testify for him, which caused him to lose his favor. It has been several months since we last met. When they met again today, Song Lingyi couldn't help feeling a little nervous. She took two quick steps and followed the two palace maids, bowing with them.

She lowered her head and tried to reduce her presence, praying in her heart that Yu Youzhi couldn't see her.
Unfortunately, her prayers did not come true.

The red official robe still stopped in front of her, "Madam Song, long time no see."

Yu Youzhi's voice was low and clear, and he smiled nonchalantly: "I heard that Miss Song is about to get engaged to the Marquis of Wu'an. This is really a big surprise for me." I originally thought that this girl was aiming for the court and would be promoted by the emperor and the imperial teacher. She would be a hidden danger in the future, but I didn't expect that she would get engaged first.

Song Lingyi didn't understand where the secret joy in his words came from. She was getting engaged, not resigning from her official position.

Yu Youzhi said, "I haven't had time to thank Miss Song for saving my life during the autumn hunt. I will definitely present a gift to you at the engagement party some other day."

"Mr. Yu is too polite. I cannot accept it."

Yu Youzhi always liked to use courtesy before force. He seemed polite on the surface, but in fact he had bad intentions. He said he was bringing a gift, but who knew what kind of trouble he would cause her on the engagement day.

After seeing Yu Youzhi off, Song Lingyi returned to Nansui Garden.

The news of her engagement to the Marquis of Wu'an had already been known to everyone, and the sisters in the palace who were on good terms with her came to congratulate her. The sisters of the former Sijisi, including Ruan Dianji and Fang Dianji, were all happy for her, but Su Siji never showed up from beginning to end.

When Song Lingyi asked, Ruan Dianji hesitated and just said that Su Siji was busy with work today.

Su Siji ignored her family's opposition and resolutely took the examination to become a female official. She was promoted to the sixth-rank Siji when she was only in her early twenties. She had a strong personality and was very career-oriented. She did not understand why Song Lingyi gave up her bright future and married into a marquis's mansion. After all, in her eyes, marriage was far less important than career.

After nightfall

Song Lingyi sat alone on the stone steps in the courtyard, propping up her head to look at the full moon in the sky. Suddenly, she felt warm and a thick cloak fell on her shoulders. Someone sat down beside her.

He Qing imitated her and looked up at the sky, saying in a casual tone: "What's wrong? It's only your first day back, and you're already looking so sad."

Song Lingyi sighed, "Sister He...ever since I got engaged, everyone I met has been telling me that I can no longer work in the Imperial History Bureau after I marry into the Marquis's mansion. But Your Majesty also married and had children, and he still led troops to war after marriage. With Your Majesty setting an example, why can't I follow suit?"

"It's probably because all the married female officials in the past eventually returned to their families to take care of their husbands and children. Besides, when women get married, they are supposed to be in charge of the household. When you marry into the Marquis's mansion, you will naturally have to learn how to manage the inner house. How will you have the energy to take care of other things then?" He Qing said.

"Between husband and wife, one person has to make sacrifices. Young Marquis Xie is the only son of the Marquis of Wu'an. He is working in the Censorate at such a young age. He will surely be able to reach a high position in the future. It is normal for the Marquise and the old Marquis to want him to marry a virtuous wife."

Song Lingyi's brows tightened, her eyes were filled with loneliness: "So everyone assumes that I am the one who is sacrificed. After marriage, I should take care of my husband and children, gradually lose my name, and become someone else's vassal..."

He Qing blinked in confusion, "Isn't this how it always happens when a woman gets married?"

"…I want to marry Xie Yanshu, but I don't want to live under someone else's wings all my life. Why can't ordinary women build a career, start a family, and build a country and protect the people just like men?" It was clearly your majesty who set the precedent.